#Maine: As Maine eyes voter ID law, Trump order tightens federal registration rules

by Caroline LeCour, March 27, 2025

"As Maine voters eye a statewide voter ID proposal, a new #ExecutiveOrder from President Donald #Trump is adding another layer to the conversation around election integrity and access.

"The order signed Wednesday would require proof of #USCitizenship to register for #FederalElections and mandate that all ballots be received by Election Day—a change from the current system in many states that allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to count if received later.

"Though separate from Maine's voter ID proposal—which addresses identification at the polls rather than registration—some in the state see a common goal.

"'This is a policy, different policies to strengthen our elections, to increase confidence of voters to participate in our democratic process,' #AlexTitcomb, of the grassroots organization The Dinner Table, [a #Conservative #PAC] said. The group spared Maine's voter ID proposal, which was certified by the Maine Secretary of State earlier this year.

"Critics argue that requiring documents many voters may not readily have—especially those whose names may not match across forms of ID—could discourage legitimate voters from participating.

"'A lot of married women have changed their names, some of their documents don't match up,' Jen Lancaster, with the League of Women Voters of Maine, said. 'Maybe they don't have the perfect document, and they get turned away. That's what #VoterSuppression is. It's eligible voters being denied their right to vote.'

"Lancaster says the executive order is likely to face legal challenges, echoing concerns from national #VotingRights organizations."

Read more:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/as-maine-eyes-voter-id-law-trump-order-tightens-federal-registration-rules/ar-AA1BJQb9
#VoterDisenfranchisement #Elections #MainePol #USPol #VoterID #VoterIDAct #LeagueOfWomenVoters #AbsenteeVoting #AbsenteeBallots #VoterID #SAVEAct #USElections

#BreakingNews - Federal #DHHS refers #Maine to #JusticeDepartment for enforcement of ‘noncompliance with #TitleIX’

The office announced the referral in a post on social media shortly after 5 p.m.

by Daniel Kool, March 28, 2025, 5:49pm

"The federal Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights referred Maine to the Justice Department for enforcement of what it alleges are Title IX violations stemming from allowing transgender women to compete in women’s sports.

"The office announced the referral in a post on social media shortly after 5 p.m.
'HHS will continue to protect women’s sports and keep the promises of Title IX for America’s women and girls,' the office said.

"The announcement comes a day after Maine officials refused to sign a proposed agreement to stop allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ high school sports by a Thursday deadline.

"Maine officials refuse to sign Trump agreement on transgender athletes
A spokesperson for Attorney General Aaron Frey’s office declined to comment Friday evening.

"Spokespeople for Gov. Janet Mills did not immediately return a request for comment. The Justice Department did not immediately return questions about its next steps and potential enforcement actions submitted through its media portal."

Original article:
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/28/federal-dhhs-refers-maine-to-justice-for-enforcement-over-noncompliance-with-title-ix/

Archived version:
https://archive.md/6jnDs
#MaineResists #ProtectTransKids #TransgenderAthletes #Fascism #Resistance #EducationFunds #USPol #MainePol #TrumpIsABully #TransRightsAreHumanRights

Podcast: #MaineMural: #BowdoinCollege #Encampment

Posted by Maine Mural Podcast | Mar 11, 2025

"This month our podcast looks back at the Bowdoin College encampment in early February that took over a portion of Morrell Lounge demanding the institution publicly stand against #scholasticide in #Gaza and #divest from certain arms manufacturers who have been supplying Israel’s criminal acts there. This episode maps out the encampment day by day, adding context and clarity to the brave action taken by students."

https://pineandroses.org/podcast/maine-mural-bowdoin-college-encampment/
#MaineResists #FreePalestine #FreeGaza #BibiIsAWarCriminal #IsraeliWarCrimes #StudentProtests #MainePol #WorldPol #USPol

#Mainers call on legislature to fund #education and more by raising taxes on #wealthy

by Channa Steinmetz, March 27, 2025

"As the #Trump Administration continues its efforts to fund huge #billionaire tax cuts by raising the cost of living and making it harder for Americans to access health care, housing, food assistance and education, Mainers, including some with very high incomes, are calling for the state’s wealthiest residents to pay what they truly owe our state.

"#LD1089, 'An Act to Permanently Fund 55 Percent of the State’s Share of Education by Establishing a Tax on Incomes of More than $1,000,000,' would add a 4% income tax surcharge on the fewer than 1% of Mainers whose incomes are above $1 million to fund Maine’s public schools. Currently, #millionaires pay the same percentage of their income in taxes as someone who makes $61,000 – leaving more than $100 million a year (the amount this tax would raise) on the table.

"Bill sponsor Rep. Cheryl Golek (D-Harpswell) said that while the bill would benefit many Mainers, 'adding a modest surcharge has no impact on millionaires.'

"#LD1047, 'An Act to Impose an Additional Tax on Certain Unearned Income', adds a 4% surcharge on capital gains above $250,000 for an individual or $500,000 for a couple filing jointly.

"Since #InvestmentIncome is often taxed at a lower rate than wages, and people with more wealth tend to get more of their income from investments (such as stocks or real estate), this bill helps to address the disparity in tax rates between people with more and less wealth. It would affect only the wealthiest investors, not middle-class families selling homes or withdrawing retirement savings, while raising over $100 million to support #schools, #infrastructure, and community services, said bill sponsor Rep. Grayson Lookner (D-Portland).

"Lucas St. Clair, an immensely wealthy Falmouth resident best known for his work on the Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, testified in favor of both bills. He said that people with money, like his family, should pay more in taxes: 'We care about the future of this state. The inequitable tax structure of today…undermines the overall health of our communities. The wealthy should pay our fair share in taxes. Period.' He also spoke about the results of fairer tax policies: 'Fair tax policies allow more money to stay in communities, ensuring greater investment in public schools, infrastructure, and services like child care and health care.'

"Gorham child care provider Charlotte Jacobs of Scarborough testified in person in favor of both tax bills, saying that Maine’s continued failure to fully fund universal Pre-K and other essential services is a direct consequence of an unbalanced tax system."

Read more:
https://mainebeacon.com/mainers-call-on-legislature-to-fund-education-and-more-by-raising-taxes-on-wealthy/
#MainePol #TaxTheRich #USPol #Education #EducationCuts

The headlines should read, "#Maine gives #Trump the Finger -- Decides to #TaxTheRich to pay for #Education cuts" (assuming the bill passes).
#MaineResists #USPol #MainePol #TrumpIsABully

Other states threatened by #Trump and #DOGE should consider the same!

Tax on Maine #millionaires heard in committee

By Keenan Mills
Published: Mar. 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM EDT|Updated: 22 hours ago

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - "Public hearings on two bills that would raise taxes for high-income households were held in Augusta today. One bill would add a four percent surcharge on Mainers who have a yearly income of one million dollars or more.

"This money would be used to guarantee the 55 percent of the state’s share of education funding which currently is built into the biennial budget, but there are questions surrounding potential cuts.

"According to supporters, all Maine people currently making more than 61-thousand dollars share the same taxes.

"No Republicans were listed as sponsors of the bill. They’re concerned about increasing taxes on those who make more money."

https://www.wabi.tv/2025/03/26/tax-maine-millionaires-heard-committee/
#TaxTheRich #MainePol #Education #USPol

#Maine #HandsOff Mass Mobilization Events
handsoff2025.com - #NationalDayofAction as of 3/24/2025 at 7:00AM

#KitteryME, 9:00-11:00am, Memorial Bridge, Rt 1, Maine/NH
#OxfordHillsME, 10:00-12noon, Fair St. & Main St. #SouthParisME
#WellsME, 10:30-12noon, Wells Public Library, 1434 Post Rd
#PortlandME,11:00am-12noon, Monument Square, 456 Congress St
#FarmingtonME, 11:00am-12noon, 196 Main St
#SouthPortlandME, 11:00am-1:00pm, GE Erskine Park, end of bridge
#AuburnME, 12noon-1:00pm, Longley Bridge, Court St
#CherryfieldME, 12noon-2:00pm, Rt 1 Bridge, River Road & Rt 1
#BangorME, 12noon-1:30pm, Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St
#AugustaME, 12noon-2:00pm, Maine State House, Capitol & State Streets
#PortsmouthNH, 12noon-2:00pm, Market Square
#SkowheganME, 2:30-4:00pm, US 201 & Water Street Bridge

Source:
https://bsky.app/profile/pinetreeactivism.bsky.social/post/3ll4myt36bs2w
#April5Events #April5th #Maine #MainePol #HandsOff2025 #HandsOff #Antifascism #Events #MaineResists #BadDOGE #ResistAuthoritarianism

#Maine rebuffs #HHS order on #TransgenderAthletes

By CHELSEA CIRRUZZO and KELLY HOOPER
03/20/2025

"The governing body that oversees Maine’s school sports is rebuffing efforts by HHS’ Office for #CivilRights to penalize it for policies allowing transgender girls to play on women’s teams.

"The Maine Principals’ Association argues that HHS has no jurisdiction over the group and the issue should instead be resolved through the state legislature and Congress.

"'MPA receives no direct or indirect federal funding, so it is not beholden to Title IX enforcement by HHS and therefore cannot be included in any future investigations or litigation,' MPA said in a Wednesday statement. The group’s counsel made the same argument in a letter to HHS on Tuesday.

"How we got here: HHS said Monday it would give Maine 10 days to sign an agreement to bar transgender students from women’s sports or risk enforcement action from the Justice Department, POLITICO’s Bianca Quilantan reports.

"According to a statement by HHS, federal officials say the Maine Department of Education, the Maine Principals’ Association and Greely High School, which had a transgender student compete on a women’s team, violated #TitleIX, the anti-sex discrimination law, with their policies that allow transgender students to compete on girls’ sports teams.

"HHS had launched a brief investigation into Maine’s policies on transgender students in sports on Feb. 21 after President Donald Trump threatened Maine’s federal funding and singled out Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat, and her state’s policies. Mills refused to say whether she would comply with his executive order barring transgender girls from girls’ sports and had vowed to meet the Trump administration in court.

"The Maine attorney general’s office said it was reviewing the proposed agreement. Greely High School did not immediately respond to requests for comment. HHS also did not respond to a request for comment."

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-pulse/2025/03/20/maine-rebuffs-hhs-order-on-transgender-athletes-00239848
#Fascism #CharacteristicsOfFascism #TransRightsAreHumanRights #TransgenderAthlete #Authoritarianism #USPol #MainePol

HT @AIF_Massachusetts

Maine protests on April 5th:

Portland
11am-12pm
Monument Square, 456 Congress St, Portland ME
https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/765634/

Augusta
12-2pm
Burton M. Cross Office Building, 111 Sewall St, Augusta, ME
https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/764545/

Oxford Hills
10am-12pm
Fair St. & Main St. South Paris/Norway, ME
https://www.mobilize.us/handsoff/event/766130/

#Maine #MainePol #PortlandME #AugustaME #ParisME
#HandsOff2025 #HandsOff #Antifascism #Events #MaineResists #BadDOGE #ResistAuthoritarianism

#PortlandMaine: Weekly protests, Saturdays at 11am! #MonumentSquare (alternate site, City Hall)

#Protesters rallied at 16 #demonstrations across #Maine

by Carol Bousquet, Maine Public March 2, 2025

"Protesters rallied at 16 statewide demonstrations this weekend called #MarchEndTheMadness.

"Hundreds filled #MonumentSquare in #PortlandME Saturday to speak out about the #Trump Administration’s actions that have harmed #Mainers, including #farmers and #FederalWorkers.

"The protesters said they are calling for the restoration of checks and balances, the rule of law, and equity for all under the law.

"Steve Titcomb of Falmouth said he worries about the security of our country and that of our allies with Trump in charge.

"'The president has taken the side of #Russia and #Putin and is turning his back on decades of security for Europe and NATO,' Titcomb said.

"Susan Hanley of Orr’s Island said she’s disgusted with how President Trump treated #Ukrainian President Volodymyr #Zelenskyy Friday at the White House and said his administration is not working for Americans.

"'It’s not about ‘We the People’ for them. It’s about #greed and #money and #power,' Hanley said.

"The #16CountiesForCourage marches were organized by #IndivisiblePortland, #IndivisibleBangor and other advocacy groups.

"Earlier in the day about a hundred protesters gathered at Portland City Hall to speak out against the Trump Administration’s sweeping measures to downsize the federal government workforce.

"Angus Ferguson organizes a protest called 'Every Saturday at 11 am in Monument Square' that has been gathering for several weeks but met at City Hall because of multiple protests across the city. He said the Trump Administration is ignoring the U.S. Constitution and turning it upside down.

"'We’re protesting Donald Trump, #Musk and the #MAGA movement’s destruction of the U.S. Constitution, firing federal workers, decimating federal agencies,' Ferguson said.

"Ferguson, who is an attorney, said the President is literally 'executing' or destroying the law with his actions."

https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/03/02/politics/state-politics/protesters-rallied-at-16-demonstrations-across-maine/
#MaineProtest #BadDOGE #USPol #MainePol #MaineProtests #Resist #ResistFascism #ResistDOGE

Grrrr... More #retaliation because of #Maine's #resistance?!
#MaineSeaGrant in jeopardy after #Trump administration terminates $4.5 million grant program

The move to discontinue the four-year agreement — which comes amid the White House's efforts to slash the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's budget — leaves the fishery organization’s programming and 20 employees in limbo.

https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/01/maine-sea-grant-funding-terminated-as-trump-administration-makes-cuts-to-noaa/
#USPol #MaineSeaGrant #ClimateChange #OceanWarming #ResistIgnorance #ResistFascism #TrumpMustGo #MainePol #District13 #SeeYouInCourt #MaineResists

*Almost* too many protests to keep track of in Maine this weekend, and then capping it off with a protest on March 4th! Go you mad beautiful people go

This weekend, demonstrations in every county on either March 1st (most counties) or March 2nd (Kennebec)

We will try to put the details for each protest in replies to this post.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Maine/comments/1ize8bs/local_demonstrations_on_march_1st2nd_and_in/

Just received mine in the mail! #MaineResists!

'See you in court'; #EqualityCommunityCenter creates t-shirts in response to heated #Trump, #Mills exchange

All of the proceeds benefit #MaineTransNet, a nonprofit that provides a variety of support services and community events for transgender people

https://www.wmtw.com/article/see-you-in-court-equality-community-center-creates-t-shirts-in-response-to-heated-trump-mills-exchange/63943519

Order here:
https://www.littlechairprinting.com/store/see-you-in-court?fbclid=IwY2xjawIseWlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeLu2aF3VoKVloZOAXPniR2FsSo1yL8J-gc4Jb3MjuQRM1YWsfVjDo5Mfg_aem_DutIONWPLGSrKaeM54G9Aw
#Maine #USPol #MainePol #TransRightsAreHumanRights #GovernorJanetMills #ProtectTransYouth

Stop the Coup Protest
Friday, February 28 4-5:30 pm
Susan Collins' Office
160 Main St
Biddeford, ME

Join Biddeford Saco Area SURJ at protests every Friday at 4pm at Susan Collins' office, 160 Main St., Biddeford. Bring signs or not. Stop the Coup! No One Voted for Elon Musk. Speak up against this administration!

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/758315/